5 comments about Suffer The Little Children (True Crime).

1. This book was difficult to read. I had to put it down many times because of the emotional stress I felt as I read of the tortures and attrocities claimed to have been done by Jesse Cummings. I'm not sure quite what to believe, since it seems to be quite biased, and since in other readings the testimony of the two wives seems contradictory, however it is quite informative of just how depraved a person can be (even if only part of it is true) and how pathetic people under the control of a sadist can become, even to go so far as assist or at least allow crimes against even their own children. It's just another case that makes me wish there were laws determining who was and was not fit to become a parent, because clearly none of these three people were, and the children did indeed suffer greatly as a result.



2. This man was not human! To beat a baby into convulsions is just sick. What I don't get is the women were so nieve to him and believed everything he said. Now look where they are. In prision for life. He should be put to death for all he has done and the lives he ruined. People like him make me sick and I hope each and every monster in this world pays for their in humanity.



3. This book was badly written, badly research, and doesn't even appear to have been edited for spelling/grammar mistakes. The writing is confusing because the author jumps around in time and then doesn't explain who people are in relation to the story. They just show up and then are gone. The research is obviously done be a bias person who is only interested in relating horrible facts, not actually proven events. It's a sad story that deserves to be properly portrayed. This book isn't that story. Save yourself the time of trying to read it.



4. Jesse James Cummings has two wives but I thought it was one wife and a girlfriend. Anyway, his true intentions are with this young niece, Melissa Moody. He kills her mother Judy Ann Mayo Moody who was also his own sister and later tortures, rapes, and kills his niece leaving her in the woods. It's one of the worst crimes in the midwest in recent memory. Jesse James Cummings is truly one of the most sadistic, cruel killers especially the treatment of his own niece. My heart goes out to the victim's family which is also his family. Ironically that the same family can produce a wonderful child like Melissa can also create a monster.



5. This book is riveting and full of details. The author spent a lot of time interviewing Jesse's two wives in their jail cell and got the whole story. This is a true example of battered wife syndrome that puts Karla Homolka's excuses and ridiculous pleas of innocence to shame. Although the way the book is compiled, it is slightly disorganized, I didn't find it too hard to follow. The amount of information and detail in it makes up for this. It's engrossing and you don't want to put it down.
   
   I did a search on google and discovered his petitions of innocence all over the place. His execution date is set for September 25, 2008. Kind of mean to say, but I'm happy about this. Although he tries to use the alibi that he was taking his sick father in for treatment the day Judy Moody was murdered, he only did it to ensure that he would have an alibi for the time of the murder. I don't believe he's innocent, he has way too much evidence against him. The world will be a much better place without a man that committed the horrific acts described in this story.

5 comments about Shower Posse: The Most Notorious Jamaican Crime Organization.

1. You know there are a lot of books that come out saying that certain groups were the most notorious. I heard of these cats coming up, but I am not 100% sure that Shower was the most notorious. I know they were hustlin strong in Philly and were doing things in D.C. and what not. I like Duane's writing, but I just dont think it was enough details. Jamaican gangs were a dime a dozen back in the 80's. And I think it is a bit biased because he is writing about his Pop which I can respect. Good job anyways



2. This was a good inspiration for my friend. I was a gift to him.



3. I agree with Big Mu Ha's review. I feel Duane Blake didn't go into enough details about the events that took place. I am sure for legal reasons it makes sense to leave a lot of detail out. The book went into details about people. The beginning of the book is very strong, it kept me the reader very engaged. Towards the end, during the years of prison seem very high-level - not too much detail. I def recommend this book to anyone who enjoys organization crime, gangs, murder stories. Esp if you are Jamaican, you can relate to much of the content. Great story to remember..



4. I think the book was excellent in terms of its exposure of the infamous drug hustle game that so many get caught up in. The book serves as a true testimony for others to learn from. I however was very disturbed about the amount of grammatical errors in my book. Was it just my copy or is that just how the book is.. if so? Please think about revising the book and coming out with a 2nd edition. I also think a screenplay for this movie would be ideal.



5. I love to read, but the writing style of this book is so amateurish, it was like pulling teeth. Hundreds of names of insignificant people, and events that added nothing to the story. The Blake family should have hired a professional writer. A great story exists here but, the writing style is so annoying, you lose focus

5 comments about The Framing of Mumia Abu-Jamal.

1. The Framing of Mumia Abu Jamal is a delusionary work that ignores the facts and overwhelming evidence of the case against Mumia. O'connor repeats the same talking points that have been circulated by radical Mumia supporters. There is nothing new here...except his outlandish claim that Mumia was somehow framed by Mayor Frank Rizzo. Problem is: Rizzo was no longer Mayor when Officer Dan faulkner was assassinated by Mumia. The Mayor was William Green, a liberal leaning democrat whom was the first Mayor in history to lay off Police officers.
   One dubious witness came forward 15 years after the trial and was discredited immediately. Three eye witnesses at the scene implicated jamal. Putting aside eye witnesses, the gun used by Mumia, which was found at his side as he sat wounded on the curb at the scene, was registered to him(William Cook...his real name). Ballistics tests matched the bullets in Faulkner to Jamal's gun. It also matched the bullet taken from jamal to faulkners gun. Judge Sabo afforded Mumia every opportunity to present his case. Mumia disrupted the trial at every turn with slogans and insults towards the judge... and his own attorneys(whom he fired).
   I can only assume that O'Connor is another bleading heart latching on to a cause. The real victim in all of this is Officer faulkner's family whom have suffered through decades of frivilous appeals as well as taunts and threats by radical Mumia supporters. Faulkner's Mother died a few years after his murder of a broken heart.
   In the book "Murdered by Mumia", one social worker whom befriended Mumia disclosed that while visiting him in jail, Mumia off-handedly addmitted killing Officer Faulkner. None of the facts seem to make a difference to those whom hold Mumia in adulation. Only they will enjoy this book. Save your money on this one.



2. This book is highly recommended. The anti-Mumia crowd always says "READ THE TRANSCRIPTS!". Well, J. Patrick O'Connor has thoroughly read all the transcripts and has concluded that the trial was blatantly unfair, Mumia was framed by police, and that he is factually innocent!
   
   Strong words, huh? O'Connor backs it up. He confidently argues that the actual shooter was one Kenneth Freeman, as he details in his recent interview with me at my "Journalists for Mumia" website: Abu-Jamal-News.com. Check out this interview for a good preview of the book, as O'Connor lays out just how Mumia was "framed" and why he believes Kenneth Freeman was the actual shooter.
   
   Many readers no doubt already believe that Mumia's guilty and had a fair trial. I truly hope these folks will have the courage to read this book and hear "the other side" for themselves. What can it hurt? Fortunately O'Connor is an excellent writer and the book is a smooth and easy read, tying together a controversial case that is rather complex.
   
   This is a must read for anyone who wants to really know the facts of the case.



3. This book does a good job of presenting the dubious evidence from the trial of Mumia Abu-Jamal and makes a convincing argument for what actually happened the night of the murder of Daniel Faulkner. While Mumia Abu-Jamal is still in prison for this murder, it is obvious from the trial transcripts that he did not receive a fair trial - the main witnesses for the prosecution were both paid police informers and the police did not thoroughly investigate the crime scene. Overall an excellent case for how Abu-Jamal has been framed and should be free.



4. I knew little about the Mumia case and found this book an excellent, well organized summary of the evidence. O'Connor presented both the evidence against Mumia on which the jury verdict likely rested and the evidence that was overlooked or likely perjured. He also gave a candid account of the ways in which Mumia was his own worst enemy during the trial. All in all, I found that the book made a persuasive case that Mumia was innocent of the charge against him.



5. I've been interested in the Mumia Abu-Jamal case for some time, and Mr. O'Connor's book has filled what gaps there have been for me about this case. It is not often that I read a book and feel that the author's treatment of the subject is so thorough that there would not have to be another on it for very many years. This is how I feel about Mr. O'Connor's book. He answers every question anyone would ever want to ask about this case. Obviously, he is not only an excellent writer, but also researcher. Although I do certainly understand the grief of Officer Danny Faulkner's widow, Maureen, I do now think that American justice should give Mumia Abu-Jamal another trial.
   
   Whether you believe Mumia Abu-Jamal killed Officer Faulkner or you believe he is innocent, do read this book.

5 comments about Deadly Mistress: A True Story of Marriage, Betrayal and Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library).

1. This California case of a spurned lover who conspired with a real loser to eliminate her lover's spouse, and in a twist the lover himself, was a fair read at best. While the author did his best to describe the police investigation into the murders it seemed long in details and short on excitement. (even with the twist) Not recommended.



2. It's a tough read. It does not keep my interest. I will finish it because I started it, but it is one I could definitely put down.



3. I have an interest in true crime books and this one is well worth reading.



4. I just heard about this story on CourtTV. I have no sympathy for the Doc. What a fool. It would have come out so much better had he just legally separated. Doc's lover was full of deception and the hitman he hired to undo his wife was actually sleeping with his mistress behind his back. So the plan was for the hitman to kill the wife and wound the Doc whilst they were in the car. Hitman and mistress had other plans. Instead of just killing the wife and wounding the Doc, hitman killed them both. Doc never saw it coming.



5. This is a hard book for me...Dr. Carolyn Stahl was my optometrist, and I had an appointment with her scheduled the day after she was murdered. She was the sweetest, kindest doctor...the entire doctor's staff was shocked and horrified...even if the book is rather detailed and maybe somewhat dry in spots, it makes a difference having known the victim...

5 comments about The Octopus: Secret Government and the Death of Danny Casolaro.

1. This book is interesting, but many questions remain unanswered. In this kind of affairs, the number of protagonists, places and sub-affairs -the whole surrounded by a thick haze of secrecy and deceit- gives a headache...and is somehow frightening...but in the same time I think we feel unsatisfied. We'd like to go farther and deeper. Is it a kind of addiction ?



2. If you read a good newspaper, watch the network news, get a weekly news periodical (all of which I do) and think you pretty well understand American politics (as I did) then you REALLY REALLY need to read this book. I have come to believe that one cannot possibly understand how this country operates by getting one's information from the mainstream press.
   
   If you find some of the information a little hard to believe and you are tenmpted to dismiss it, you might want to try to do a search on the relevant topic. You will almost always find supporting information.



3. This book begins with an investigation into an attempt to corner the market for law enforcement software and ends with the death of Princess Diana and 9/11. One needs a formidably extended elastic to find a link between the latter events and the death of Dany Casolaro.
   It is a very meager extension of L. Fletcher Prouty's book `The Secret Team'.
   The only interesting pages are those explaining the PROMIS program (and backdoor software) and its ability to track movements of vast numbers of people around the world by tapping into the computers of, e.g., utility and credit card companies. Example: A sudden change in water consumption could mean that a person has `guests'.
   
   I cannot recommend this book.



4. I read this book about a week ago and I have to say that although it was quite informative, it left many holes. Unfortunately, we may never know exactly what happened to Danny Casolaro because powers that be will prevent it from becoming public knowledge. The book was mostly a gripping tale about his life as he tried to expose connections between the CIA, drug trafficking, hollywood, and weapons procurement in a tax free Indian reservation. The book lost me when they added a chapter about Lady Diana which had absolutely no connection to his death other than the CIA knowing about it. Still if you want some forbidden knowledge, I'd recommend the book anyway. It is a fairly quick and easy read.



5. Excellent book that uncovers the truth about who
   killed young Danny Casolaro and more importantly,
   why! Mr. Norman and Mr. Skolnick were both on RFA
   several times and the reader sould also look for
   Skolnick's books here on amazon as well! Pick Up
   on any that talk about the Nugan-Hand Bank, BCCI
   or the Inslaw case!

5 comments about A Criminal and an Irishman: The Inside Story of the Boston Mob-IRA Connection.

1. I had high hopes for this one, in light of the pros working with Nee. It just seemed to degenerate into a political polemic, however, about half way through; almost like two mini-books with stange pacing by the editor. Without trying to, I found myself mentally substituting "Al Qaeda" for IRA, trying unsuccessfully to differentiate in my mind why these guys were substantially different from middle eastern "freedom fighters". Left unexamined was the tragic way his family started him on his path in life, making him a really angry guy in general. Despite service in the USMC, he doesn't refer to himself as an American throughout most of the book. I really wish I could have liked this one more but I know plenty of guys like Nee who made better life choices.



2. This is a solidly wriiten book on criminal activity in Boston and arms smuggling to Ireland. The author pulls no punches about what he did and offers no apologies to the lifestyle he choose. You can either love or hate him but he seems to be a respectable guy from this book. The co-authors do a pretty good job putting his voice into a readable manner.



3. This is the best book in its class. Nee is everything that Mac, Weeks, Shea aren't. He is truthful and honest. Nee's story puts it all into perspective and negates all the other fiction. Nee's story is the one that you want to hear about. Recounting the events of his life, that he remembers. The South Boston gang war chapter is outstanding, and the valhalla chapter is almost a "how to smuggle" for those of you interested. Nee's story is both moving and compelling, with his sentiment towards his brother and his belief in the IRA as opressed people. Nee's image of Whitey Bulger is outstanding. This is a definite good read. buy it.



4. A Criminal and an Irishman is a terrific read, particularly for anyone interested in American connections to the defiance of British rule and oppression in Northern Ireland. Highly informative and entertaining, the novel also provides a great deal of excitement in its recounting of its anti-hero's adventures as a criminal and a gun runner for Irish freedom fighters. Pleasantly, it avoids glorifying crime, yet it does provide insight into why Pat Nee made the choices he did, as both a criminal and an Irishman. Further, it provides facts too often ignored in the US press about Britain's continuing atrocities against Nationalists and Catholics in Northern Ireland. Anyone who wants to know the truth about what goes on in that enemy-occupied country would do well to read this book.



5. Well, let's see....I bought this book in the hopes of learning about some type of connection with the P.I.R.A and the Southie Irish "mob". First, I had to get through the first ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE PAGES which had to do with Mr. Nee's life prior to his involvement.
   
   If you couple that with the forty or so pages that dealt with the actual boat trip, which Mr. Nee wasn't even privy to, then you have about TWENTY pages actually dealing with the topic of "The Inside Story of the Boston Mob-IRA Connection".
   
   Listen, Mr. Nee, I understand you not wanting to tell the "whole" story about what you did as I'm sure the statute of limitations hasn't run out. But don't spout off about some huge connection between the Irish "mob" and the P.I.R.A if you don't have much to say. You wrote more about Jimmy Bulger than you did about anything else!
   
   The only saving grace of the book was that you felt like you were bellied up to the bar in some run down gin mill swapping stories with ole' Patty himself. It's an easy read, completed it in a night, but only pick it up if you're interested in one-sided war stories about criminals who victimized Southie.

1 comments about The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd.

1. I was completely unfamiliar with this case when I read this book. The first section is quite dry with extraneous detail (a common foible of true crime books, I admit) about Phoenix of the 1930's and I almost decided to put it down. I'm glad I didn't. Although the details of the crime itself were interesting, I found the real enjoyment of this book came from following the bizarre course of Ruth Judd's life. I kept turning pages to find out what would happen to her next. About the time she opened up her own beauty salon in the insane asylum, I was totally hooked. What a fascinating life she led, albeit a sad one.

5 comments about Congratulations, You Have Just Met the I. C. F..

1. Cass wasn't there a lot of the time.
   Too much 'secondhand' knowledge, to keep me gripped for long. But an easy read and entertaining all the same.
   I'd like to read more of what these people are thinking and feeling, than just related events.
   Cass, Gardner, Swallow, Leach and co, write your stuff 'first hand' - it would be facinating.
   No doubt these books are the life breath of DVDs like 'Green Street' or 'Football Factory'; both of which bear no resemblence to what really went (goes) on.
   Buy 'Good Afternoon, Gentlemen, the Name's Bill Gardner' by Bill Gardner and Cass Pennant - good read. Gardner is a diamond. Totally loyal to WHU and all it stands for. He certainly has my resect.
   West Ham usually win in their battles. A tough bunch indeed.
   They are definitely the second hardest firm since the Great War.
   The hardest being Millwall of course. Always outnumbered, never outdone. Sounds like a good title for a MFC book.
   If you REALLY want to know about WHU, buy Bobby Moore: By the Person Who Knew Him Best by Tina Moore. A GREAT read. He is WHU.
   Lord Moore of Dagenham, I refer to him as.



2. Its not unusual to see black people at
   football matches these days but back in the 70's and early 80's there
   were a lot of skinheads on the terraces and they were mostly extreme
   right wing racists. I didn't go to football at all in the UK in the
   70's but I remember going to see my first England match in 85 and
   being quite shocked by some of the racist chanting from some sections
   of the crowd at our own players. In short if you were black and
   standing on the terraces behind the goals (where all the hardcore
   fans gather) then you were seriously hard. Cass Pennant was that, a feared man as well. His writing is clear and focused, and this book is a great account of West Ham United's main firm, the Inter City Firm. Their rucks with rivals are still spoken of with awe, and one didn't venture into their turf on a game day without expecting to catch a beat down! Wild tales, especially to us Yanks!



3. The title of the book is their business card, I think it's brilliant on their part though I can't say I'm sorry I was never handed one. Or perhaps I am. There are probably large cardboard boxes full of what's written about football hooligans. They analyze the why and the how; violence seems to attract a sort of fascination and I admit I am not immune to it. And I am not immune to a level of admiration for anyone like Bill Gardner who could walk up to the mob of another firm and say "Good afternoon gentlemen. The name's Bill Gardner." And then the ruck's on. It's a sort of utter fearlessness and abandon, and this book won't analyze anything, it'll bring it to life for you through the words of all the right faces in the Inner City Firm. It's stories of the West Ham supporters through the height of violence in the 70's and the 80's, along with a glimpse into the meaning of the violence from some of the most feared men of the I.C.F. You'll find no academics or reporters talking about hooligans here, I love it because here people get to speak for themselves.
   
   Interestingly enough, though, there's very little said about West Ham or football itself. A great book with a lot more about football is Eduardo Galeano's Soccer in Sun and Shadow, highlighting the great games and the great players and the politics behind it all, a great counterpoint to give context to a book like this one...



4. This guy was really there versus some of the tripe you see coming outy about soccer.



5. as a reader of many hooligan books, this has been done well enough by cass pennant, it keeps u interested and concetrates on the violence and what these guys got up to. there is still a bit of the old, there was 700 of them and just 2 of us and we still gave em a slap, but not too much (woulda have got 4 stars if he left some of that out). the ICF are a very proud bunch, from reading other books they were a well respected firm in their time, he gives a good account.

5 comments about But He Was Good to His Mother : The Lives and Crimes of Jewish Gangsters.

1. Prompt delivery of my order. Would recommend this seller. Book as advertised.



2. A good book for casual crime readers who don't need heavy details, but amazingly inaccurate in several areas. Seems to repeat old myths told in other books rather than do research.
   
   ie Joe the Boss's hit team did not include Anastasia, Adonis or even Siegel
   
   or
   
   Dutch Schultz was not shot in the bathroom or even shot by Charlie Workman. The caliber of the bullet found in Dutch matched those used by his men, not those who had shot his men down. The more accurate tale is that he was mistaken;y shot by his own men while trading fire with Lepke's boys. (The bathroom was directly behind the doorway where Workman had to be shooting from)



3. Robert Rockaway provides an engaging portrait of the warm, loving relationships many of the most notorious Jewish mobsters in the history of U.S. crime enjoyed with their girl friends, wives, children, and other family members, especially mothers. The emotions the wicked ways of these boys provoked from their loved ones ranged from devastation and shame to pride, arrogance, and defensiveness. While a lot of this material is old hat, an equal amount is not, and I generally found this book to be light and enjoyable.



4. The title of this book comes from the fact that Jewish gangsters took a very protective attitude towards their mothers, and did everything they could to keep them and other family members in the dark regarding their unsavory behavior. Gangsters may have led immoral lives regarding their so-called profession, but would turn weepy when the subject of their mother came up. Perhaps this was due in part to the fact they knew their mother would be disappointed in them. Unlike those in the mafia the offspring of Jewish gangsters did not intermarry with others so their profession did not extend beyond one generation. I found the book to be well written, and what I especially liked was the number of photos of gangsters I have read about in previous books, but of which photos have been scanty. Gyp the Blood (square name Harry Horowitz), Irving Wexler (Waxey Gordon), Jacob "Gurrah" Shapiro, Abe Reles, Harry Strauss (Pittsburgh Phil), and a family photo of the Purple Gang were all included in addition to photos of Dutch Schultz (square name Arthur Flegenheimer), Jack Guzik, Lepke Buchalter, and numerous others. This book is a worthy addition to my gangster library, and you can purloin this book for only $10.00.



5. The author's writing style successfully avoids smooth flow and continuity. He skips around, and maintains superficiality throughout. No interest was generated, and it was hard to keep track of the individuals chronicled in the book.Definitely not a good read. There was no eagerness to find out what was next, rather eagerness to finish. I honestly could not remember one fact from it. Even the photos were not anywhere in the book near where the subjects were discussed.

5 comments about Battle at Alcatraz: A Desperate Attempt to Escape the Rock.

1. This book was a terriffic read, concise and very well written. I was waiting for my plane in the O'Hare airport and had bought it for my dad in San Fransisco. I was 9 years old at the time and I read the whole book on the way home. I could not put it down. The bond that the author creates with the reader is magical. You find yourself in the cell where the hostages were kept. You hear yourself screaming at others to find the key. How the plan could break down at the last was incredible. If you enjoy history, then this book is for you. If you cannot see the historical importance and literary genius in this piece, then maybe you should blow your mind on cable television.



2. Ernie Lageson, is the son of one of the prison guards injured in the failed escape attempt about which this book is written. There are many versions of stories told about Alcatraz the details of which vary by accounting. Being a stickler for correct facts I appreciate the attention to accurate detail paid by the author when writing this book. He not only tells the story with precise accuracy he does so as a skilled story teller weaving a web and drawing you in. If you only read one book about this particular uprising, make sure you chose this one. You won't find an accounting more thoroughly researched nor more intelligently written.



3. Author Ernest Lageson provides us with an account of the 1946 attempted breakout at Alcatraz prison during which time his father was a guard at the institution. He provides the reader with the details of a well-planned attempt by inmates to vacate "The Rock". The best laid plans go sour for the strangest reasons, and this plan went awry because a guard decided to keep a key to the recreation yard in his pocket because he was to reuse it shortly instead of returning it where it belonged. The inmates were unable to locate the key and their plot was foiled. The author provides us with details of the personalities of the inmates involved and their frustration when things began to go wrong. Author Lageson was a schoolboy at the time, and he expresses his agony in not knowing whether his father was alive or not. Conflict between Warden James Johnston and his associate, Edward Miller, in resolving the takeover is gone into detail with Warden Johnston appearing as confused as to what to do to rescue the guards in the cell block and quash the uprising. According to the author, Johnston had his facts wrong, also, when providing details to the press. Having just visited Alcatraz last week I wanted to read this book and was able to visualize the inside of the prison. I found this book very interesting to read. I can't imagine a reviewer who found it to be boring. I would highly recommend the book to you.



4. Visited The Rock this July, bought this book at the bookstore, This book was a great book made me feel like i was actully there. The auther Tells a great story. Suggest to everyone



5. I am obsessed with reading about Alcatraz - I picked up the book by Whitey Thompson somewhere - a garage sale or thrift store - for a .25 and I have been hooked ever since. This one is great. I am reading the sequel to this book right now (by the same author) about the trial. Hope it is just as good. There is also a book written by a guard ("screw") that I will be reading next.